Straight-bar knitting-machine.



B. SALZER & G. WALTHER.

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MAGHINE.

Inventors Patented Mar. 30, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' Witnesses 1m: uon'ms PIIIIIS ca, wnsunynmu, 11.1:

B. SALZER 62G; WALTHBR.

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MAUHINE,

APPLICATION rum) NOV. 11, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Mar. 30, 1909.

Witnesses.

B. SALZER &-,'G. WALTHER. STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING momma.

APPLICATION FILED 30V. 11, 1904.

Witnesses.

120.. WASHINOYON. n. c

B. SALZER & G. WALTHER. STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION TILED NOV.11, 1904.

Patented Mar. 30,1909.

' machine.

BRUNO SALZER AND GUSTAV WALTHER, OF CHEMNITZ, GERMANY.

STRAIGHT-B AR KNITTING-MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. March 30, 1909.

Application filed November 11, 1904. Serial No. 232,317.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that We, BRUNO SALZER and GUSTAV Vnnrnnn, subjects of the German Emperor, residing at Chemnitz,in the Kingdom of Saxony and Empire of Germany, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Straight-Bar Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a specification,

This invention relates to straight bar knitting machines of the Cotton type, and more particularly to an auxiliary patterning mechanism for producing longitudinal stripes. The construction and operation of the frame needles and thread-guides are well known; but the mechanism is new which moves the thread-guides of the platingthreads to and fro for the purpose of cansing the thread-guides at each operation to reach the place where the plate-thread is to be put around the frame needles in order to produce a point of the pattern.

In the annexed drawings the invention is represented.

Figure 1 is a front view of the right side of a straight bar knitting machine showing the last two divisions X, X with the plating device and the auxiliary patterning mechanism Y for producing the longitudinal stripes. The latter forms the principal feature of the invention, and the greater part of Fi 1, with the divisions X X which are well known, only serves for the purpose of explaining the mechanical relation between the new apparatus and the old Fig. 2 shows a side-view of the new patterning mechanism indicated as Y in Fig. 1 being a side-view from the right. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3, 3, of Fig. 1 through the old well known part of the Cotton machine seen from the right for the purpose of illustrating in what manner the thread-guides may cooperate with the frame needles when they are moved to and fro by the main patterning mechanism shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4; is a repetition of some of the most important parts of Fig. 2, consequently also a side-view seen from the right. F 5 is a front view of the same parts and consequently a repetition from Fig. 1, on a somewhat larger scale, for the purpose of clearer illustration. Figs. 6,7 and 8 respectively are side-view, front-view and top-view of Figs. 41 and 5. Fig. 9 is a diagram of a pattern produced by means of the present device. Fig. 10 is a sectional view with parts omitted and showing means for operating the wedge bar and arresting member. Fig. 11 1s a view looklng 1n the dlrection of the arrow 11 of Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a view looking in the direction of arrow 12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a detail view of one of the parts shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

To a rod A, Figs. 1 and 3, traversing all the length of the machine, at each division X X a double-lever B is fixed. Each of these pairs of levers B carries a thread-guide bar C. To these thread-guide bars G the thread guides D are attached in a well known manner. From the plate-thread spools C C arranged above C the platethreads are conducted through the threadholes D of the thread-guide D. In Fig. 3 the thread-guides D are represented in their position of rest.

The rod A to which the parts B, C, D are fixed may be lifted from the machine and kept at an elevated position when not in use. For this purpose the forked pieces G, H are arranged which'serve as supports for the rod A. and the pins J for enabling a rapid removal and replacement of said parts. The forked piece G is arranged at the upper end of a slide L movable in the two supports G and G and adapted to be moved up and down. Both supports are fixed to the lever G integral with the hub G and attached to the shaft E. Consequently if the shaft E is rotated by mechanism to be explained later on the thread-guides D must partake in this movement also. Fixed to the slide L adapted to be moved up and down is the pin J while the lower forked end H of the lever A" keyed to the red A fits on said pin J.

The thread-guides D when arranged in the machine as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 receive their operative movements from the main shaft K of the machine whereby the main patterning mechanism A B C D oscillates around the shaft E. For on the shaft E to which the levers G are fixed also the lever hi is fixed which is provided with a rotatable roller M and a draw-spring M so that the roller M continuously pressed against the circumference of the cam lv 3 by said spring M Consequently the shaft E and the patterning mechanism A B C D oscillate according to the form of the camperimeter M Pivoted to the machineframe is another shaft F to which the levers F and F are fixed. The lever F is provided with a roller F and a draw-spring F constantly pressing the roller F against the perimeter of the cam F The end of the lever F presses under the lower end of the slide L at the upper end of which the rod A rests with the patterning mechanism. Consequently when the levers F and F os cillate the slides L also must move up and down and in this manner the main patterning mechanism is operated by the two cams M and F M oscillates the mechanism to and fro, and the cam F 5 imparts the up and down movement. Besides these two movements the thread guides D have a third movement, to wit in the longitudinal direction of the rod A. For this purpose the rod A is moved to and fro in the forked pieces G and thereby the lever A attached to the rod A is also moved to and fro on the pin J. This movement of the rod A is effected by the auxiliary patterning mechanism consisting of the present invention to be explained in detail in connection with Figs. 4 8.

The operation of reproducing the pattern takes place in the well known manner, to wit, the thread-guides D, oscillate about the shaft E and enter between the frame-needles N, then place the thread for two frame needles N to the left or right by means of a lat eral movement of the rod A and then return to a point in front of the frame needles, as indicated in Fig. 3. In this position of rest, Fig. 3, the thread-guides D remain till the sinking of the loops and the formation of a new row of loops has taken place. They are then laterally moved to another point of the pattern and the same operation is repeated. The loop thus placed around a certain number of needles is knocked over on the formation of the following row of loops and appears as a plated loop on the surface of the fabric. It will be noted that this formation of plated loops per 86 does not form a part of the present invention, but is well known. owever the auxiliary patterning mechanism, Figs. 4 8, which removes the thread-guides to the right and left for the purpose of producing the plated loops at certain parts of the pattern is new. Therefore the rod A, whichcarries the main pat.- terning mechanism must be reciprocated longitudinally for a double purpose. First so that the thread guides D engage between the frame needles N in themanner above described, then place the thread around one or two frame needles N and effect a return to their position of rest, Fig. 3, which may be called a stitch forming movement. This movement of the thread guides D and this purpose also are well known. But besides this the thread guides D must be moved for another purpose, to wit, to change the working position of the thread guides.

In Fig. 9 the small angle-hooks indicate the loops which are applied to the fabric by the thread guides D. A number of these from the loops are intersected by line my. All pattern loops in the line my are produced by the main pattern mechanism in the well known machines which are not provided with the device of my invention. For it is to be kept in mind that for the purpose of producing these loops situated in a single straight line the thread guides D need only effectone of the movements above described for the first of the two purposes. But the second movement for the second one of the two purposes is to produce the pattern according to requirements in a Zigzag line to the right or left of the central line ag as shown in Fig. 9.

The rod A carries on its inner end two fingers 15 and 16 which embrace and have loose working connection with a drive plate 17. Said plate is secured to one end of a shaft 11 which is mounted in bearings in the machine frame and adapted to be longitudinally reciprocated therein. The fingers 15 and 16 are of sufficient length to permit the rod A to oscillate to and fro and reciprocate up and down and at all times maintain connection with the plate 17 A yoke m secured to the shaft a is provided with bearings m in which a short shaft 9 is mounted.

Upon shaft 9 a pattern cam P is loosely secured and is provided with an oscillation pin t and oppositely projecting extensions P provided with cam surfaces formed in the following manner. Each end is provided with eight parallel companion steps P of uniform diametrical length, steps diverging from the axis of the cam in transverse planes i. 6. each of said steps diverge axis in a vertical plane from points 0 cl respectively. Each of said steps 22 is provided with five transverse steps 29 From the foregoing it will be seen that cam engaging members cooperating with any of the stepped or transverse faces of the cam P, on a horizontal line intersecting the axis of said cam, will engage surfaces always an equal distance apart thereby providing means whereby cam engaging members spaced apart a constant and equal distance may engage any of the companion stepped or transversely stepped faces without necessitating the changing of adjustment of said members. For instance, if the cam members engage the two companion steps a and b they can be engaged with any of the steps intervening the same and the steps Z) and 0 without separate adjustment. If the cam member P is oscillated on its axis the increased radial length of the transverse steps near I) compensate for the decreased radial length of steps near (Z. e will now explain the devices adapted to cooperate with said cam which, in the form shown, comprise two pincer like arms 2' pivotally mounted on shaft h and normally held apart by springs z". Said shaft h is desirably fixed in bearings it, one thereof being shown in Fig.4. Each of said arms carry at their upper end cam engaging rollers e f adapted forcooperation with these stepped faces 79 p Said arms are also provided with oppositely projecting lugs carrying retaining rollers adapted for engagement with opposite faces of a reciprocating wedge Z. Said wedge is provided with converging surfaces Z at its upper end. When the rollers 70 engage the opposite parallel surfaces of the wedge Z as shown in Fig. 5 the rollers e and f are held a sufficient distance apart to engage any of the companion stepped spaces 2 or 10 It will be seen that when the wedge Z is reciprocated downwardly so that the rollers 70 engage the surfaces Z the springs z'" will pull the levers i outwardly in opposite directions out of contact with the cam P thereby permitting adjustment of the cam P longitudinally.

Next describing the means whereby the cam l is reciprocated longitudinally of its axis and oscillated thereon the same consists of the following operative mechanism. Upon the forward lower face of the cam 1? there is provided a hook p adapted to engage a lug g formed upon a lever s which is pivotally mounted at r and held in a normally retractednposition by a spring 7- secured to said lever and to any suitable stationary part. Said lever also carries a roller 8 adapted for engagement with a projection 8 in a like direction the rollers will have been previously disengaged from said cam. It will be further seen that upon upward reciprocation of wedge Z the rollers 7': will be engaged bringing the rollers c and f toward each other and into engagement with the cam P. Supposing that the cam P is moved in the direction of the arrow m (Figs. 4 and S) the rollers c and f bearing on the fourth companion steps 37* as shown in Figs. 4t and 8 so that the rollers are brought into engagement with the outer cam surfaces near 6 c. this will result in bodily moving the cam in the direction of the arrow as Fig. 8 and a like movement of shaft n to the right. If the cam P is moved in the direction of the arrow w at) bringing the rollers in engagement of the cam surfaces a (Z' (Fig. 8) there will be a bodily movement of the cam and shaft a in the direction of the arrow y shown in Fig. 5.

A lever 11 is provided having a. loop portion a which straddles shaft a, said lever at its lower end Fig. 2) being connected at o with a lever o provided with a cam roller 1* engaging a cam 1- and which is held in engagement therewith by spring 7". The lever u is provided with a slotted projection o (Fig. 5) in which the oscillating pin t projects. Now it will. be .obvious from the foregoing that as the cam v" reciprocates the bar w the latter will impart an oscillating movement to the cam P which serves, after the rollers 1 and j' have been adjusted and engaged with one of the pairs of companion steps P to bring the transversed stepped faces y) into engagement with said rollers thereby imparting a longitudinal movement to shaft 11- in proportion to the depth of and number of transverse steps engaging said rollers. The part Z is reciprocated through the medium of an arm Z (Fig. 1) provided with a cam engaging member Z ei'igaging a cam Z*.

The mechanism for varying the extent of oscillation of the cam P and also the mechanism for limiting the longitudinal movement of the cam will now be described in detail.

A roller 20, Figs. 11 and 12, is mounted on a shaft 21 and is provided with chain wheels 20". A chain 20 is trained about and adapted to be rotated by said wheels and is provided with a plurality of adjusting projections 20 preferably arranged in two rows. The projections of each row traveling in the path of and serving to engage separate nieclmnisn'is imparting variable oscillatory and reciprocatory movement to the cam 1. Next describing the first mentioned mechanism the same comprises a lever 37 mounted on shaft 35 and provided with a linger 36 which as shown is located in the path of the right row of projections 20 with reference to Fig. 11. Said lever 37 is provided with a pin 38 adapted to engage a collar 39 rigidly mounted upon a reciprocating rod ll). A fork ll secured on said rod engages the hub 42 of a roller 4-3. Said roller 43 is mounted upon a pin ll secured to the lever c and is adapted to be reciprocated on said pin in a nnumer to be brought into register with a plurality of actuating cams 45, 4-6, l? and 48 mounted on shaft K. fr spring 5 L normally holds said fork 4:1 in a retracted position illustrated in Fig. 12. it will be noted by reference to Fig. l2 that the adjusting projections 20 are not only of different lengths but that the same are spaced apart in such a manner that spaces are provided so the lever 37 will not always be actuated and it will be understood that when the spaced portions of said chain register with the finger 36 no movement of the bar or lever 37 w ll be effected and the roller 43 will be to bring new surfaces into engagement with said arms and thereby effect longitudinal movement of said shifting rod.

2. In combination, a main patterning mechanism, an auxiliary patterning mechanism adapted to shift said main mechanism comprising a shifting rod operatively connected therewith, a stepped cam for operating said shifting rod, means for engaging said cam, mechanism for oscillating said cam with respect to said engaging means to effect shifting movement of said rod, and mechanism for adjusting said cam longitudinally of its axis.

3. In combination, a main patterning mechanism, an auxiliary patterning mechanism adapted to shift said main mechanism and comprising a shift rod, a cam bracketmounted on said rod, a cam movably mounted in said bracket, said cam being provided with horizontally and vertically offset portions, pivot-ally mounted pincer arms engaging said stepped portions, means for oscillating said cam to bring different off-set surfaces into engagement with said pincer arms to effect the shifting movement, said means comprising a lever secured to said cam and provided with a shiftable cam wheel, a plurality of cams adapted to operate said wheel to vary the extent of oscillation of said cam, and means for shifting said cam wheel.

a. In combination, a main patteri'nng mechanism, an auxiliary patterning mechanism adapted to shift said main mechanism and comprising a shifting rod, a cam for shifting said rod provided with horizontally and vertically offset portions, means engagingsaid off-set portions to normally hold the cam in a given position, and mechanism for oscillating said cam to bring different portions into engagement with said means and effect shifting movement of said main patterning mechanism.

5. In combination, a main patterning mechanism, auxiliary mechanism for shifting said main mechanism comprising a shifting rod a cam associated with said shifting rod and provided with vertically and horizontally offset stepped portions, pincer arms engaging said stepped portions to normally hold the cam in a given position, a wedge plate holding said arms in an engaging position provided with cam surfaces whereby said arms may be released, a lever for shifting said cam longitudinally of its axis provided with a roller engaged by a projection on said wedge plate, an arresting member adapted to engage said lever and arrest movement thereof to fix longitudinal adjustment of said cam and a chain pro vided with a'plurality of adjusting projections adapted to operate said arresting member.

6. In combination, a main patterning mechanism, auxiliary mechanism for shifting said main mechanism comprising a shifting rod, a cam associated with said shifting rod and provided with vertically and horizontally offset stepped portions, pincer arms engaging said stepped portions to normally hold the cam in a given position, a wedge plate holding said arms in an engaging position provided with cam surfaces whereby said arms may be released, a lever for shifting said cam longitudinally of its axis provided with a roller engaged by projection on said wedge plate, an arresting member adapted to engage said lever and arrest movement thereof to fix longitudinal adjustment of said cam, and means for operating said arresting member.

7. In combination, a main patterning mechanism, auxiliary mechanism for shifting said main mechanism comprising a shifting rod, a cam associated with said shifting rod and provided with vertically and horizontally oflset port-ions, pincer arms engaging said off-set portions to normally hold the cam in a given position, a reciprocating wedge plate holding said arms in an engaging position and provided with cam surfaces whereby said arms may be released, said wedge plate being provided with a cam lug, a spring controlled lever for shifting said stepped cam longitudinally of its axis and provided with a roller engaged by said cam lug, an arresting member adapted to engage said lever to arrest movement thereof and thereby serving to fix longitudinal adjustment of said stepped cam, a chain provided with two rows of adjusting projections, one row engaging and operating said arresting member, a lever for oscillating said cam, a shiftable cam roller carried thereby, a plurality of operating cams adapted to cooperate with said roller to vary oscillating movement of said. stepped cam, and mechanism for shifting said roller, said mechainsm being operated by the remaining row of adjusting projections.

8. In combination, a main patterning mecha nism, auxiliary mechanism for shifting said main mechanism comprising a cam provided with vertically and horizontally offset stepped portions, means engaging said stepped portions to normally hold the cam in a given position, means for oscillating said cam to effect said shifting movement, means for effecting adjustment of said stepped cam longitudinally of its axis, and a chain provided with two rows of adjusting projections, adapted to cooperate with said oscillating and longitudinally adjusting means to control the extent of oscillation and longitudinal adjustment of said cam.

9. In combination, a main patterning mechanism, auxiliary mechanism for shifting said main mechanism comprising a cam provided with vertically and horizontally 0E- set stepped portions, means engaging said? stepped portions to normally hold the cam in a given position, means for oscillating said cam to effect said shifting movement, means for efiecting adjustment of said stepped cam longitudinally of its axis, and a device adapted to cooperate with said oscillating and longitudinally adjusting means to control the extent of oscillation and longitudinal adjustment of said cam.

10.1n combination, a main patterning mechanism, a cam operatively associated with said mechanism for shifting the same, mechanism for oscillating said cam, mechanism for shifting said cam, means engaging said cam whereby oscillating and shifting movements imparted thereto serve to shift said patterning mechanism, an automatic device for retaining and releasing said means to and from an engaging position wit-h said cam, said device engaging said shifting mechanism to actuate the same when said means is released from engagement with said cam, an arresting device for limiting shifting movement of said cam, a plurality of cams and adjustable mechanism cooperating therewith for operating said oscillating mechanism, and controlling means for adjusting said arresting device and said adjustable mechanism to vary the extent of oscillation and shifting movement imparted to said cam.

11. In combination, a main patterning mechanism, a cam operatively associated with said mechanism for shifting the same, mechanism for oscillating said cam, means engaging said cam whereby oscillating movement imparted thereto serves to shift said patterning mechanism, an automatic device for retaining and releasing said means to and from an engaging posit-ion with said cam, a plurality of cams and adjustable mechanism cotiperatingtherewith for operating said oscillating mechanism, and controlling means for adjusting said adjustable mechanism to vary the extent of oscillation imparted to said cam. 7

12. In combination, a main patterning mechanism, a cam operatively associated with said mechanism for shifting the same, mechanism for oscillating said cam, mechanism for shifting said cam, and means including pincer arms and a wedge block provided with cam surfaces cooperating with said cam whereby movement imparted thereto serves to shift said patterning mechanism, said wedge block engaging said shifting mechanism to operate the same.

13. In combination, a main patterning mechanism, a cam operatively associated with said mechanism for shifting the same, an oscillating bar connected with said cam, adjustable means carried by said bar, a plurality of cams associated with said means to actuate said bar, a controlling device for adjusting said means to vary the extent of oscillation of said cam, and means engaging said cam whereby movement imparted thereto serves to shift said main patterning mechanism.

14:. In combination, a main patterning mechanism, a cam operatively associated with said mechanism for shifting the same, an oscillating bar connected with said cam, adjustable means carried by said bar, a plurality of cams coiipcrating through said means to oscillate said first mentioned cam, a shifting lever connected with said cam, means engaging said cam whereby movement imparted thereto serves to shift said main patterning mechanism, said means enga ing said shifting lever to operate the same in one direction, an arresting member limiting movement of said shitting lever, and a controlling device for moving said adjustable means to effect variable oscillation of said cam, said controlling device also serving to control said arresting member.

15. In combination, a main patterning meclninisin, a shifting rod operatively con nected therewith, a cam mounted on said rod, means engaging said cam, and means for operating said cam to effect movement of said shifting rod.

In testimony whereof we afix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

BRUNO SALZER. GUSTAV NALTHER.

Witnesses iVi OHRIS LIPMAN, FREDERICK J. SIETZMAN. 

